title: Aggregated time intensity curves after transarterial chemoembolization with degradable starch microspheres: a feasibility study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate tumor perfusion by means of dynamic contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (DCEUS) and aggregated time intensity curves (TICs) after transarterial chemoembolization with degradable starch microspheres (DSM-TACE).
  
  
  METHODS
  18 patients underwent 36 DCEUS examinations conducted via contrast agent application before and after DSM-TACE. Based on time intensity curves (TICs), we analyzed the microcirculation of the embolized HCC lesions with a dedicated perfusion software.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Signal intensity was significantly reduced (p ≤ 0.001) after DSM-TACE at all time points measured. The mean signal intensity after 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 s was 375.18 ± 16.41, 455.66 ± 17.92, 294.47 ± 19.91, 246.51 ± 20.99 and 173.45 ± 25.80 before TACE and 49.47 ± 2.43, 49.51 ± 2.40, 37.40 ± 2.45, 27.48 ± 2.65 and 27.96 ± 3.01 after TACE.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this study, tumor perfusion could be accurately evaluated by means of DCEUS and aggregated TICs after DSM-TACE.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University Medical Center Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Heibl
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University Medical Center Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University Medical Center Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Beyer
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University Medical Center Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
authors.forename: W A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Wohlgemuth
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University Medical Center Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Stroszczynski
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University Medical Center Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wiggermann
mesh_terms: D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy*; D016461:Chemoembolization, Therapeutic / Q000379:methods*; D003287:Contrast Media; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013213:Starch / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; C083286:degradable starch microspheres; D013213:Starch
keywords: DCE-US; DSM-TACE; HCC; TIC